GB2434555A

GB2434555A - A toy with an attacking facility operated by a parallelogram linkage

Info

Publication number: GB2434555A
Application number: GB0701191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Coker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-30
Filing date: 2007-01-22
Publication date: 2007-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-22
Also published as: GB0701191D0; GB2434555B

Abstract

A toy 2 which is mobile, remotely controlled and has an attack facility, which toy comprises a body 4, propulsion means 6 for causing the toy to be mobile, and attack means 8 which provides the attack facility. The attack means 8 comprises an attack section 10 which operates to provide an attack action, and a movement section 16 which supports the attack section 10 and moves the attack section 10 relative to the body for attack purposes, and the movement section 16 being such that it comprises a parallelogram arrangement of pivoting arms 18, 20, 22 which enables the attack section 10 to lunge and attack during use of the toy 2. The toy may take the form of a dinosaur such that the neck and head of the animal may lunge forward in an attack motion and the jaw of the animal providing a biting attack action.

Description

A TOY WHICH IS MOBILE. REMOTELY CONTROLLED

AND HAS AN ATTACK FACILITY

This invention relates to a toy and, more especially, this invention relates to a toy which is mobile, remotely controlled and has an attack facility.

Toys are known which are mobile, remotely controlled and which have an attack facility. Various designs for such toys are known. Typically the toys are used to attack each other in order to effect physical damage on opponent toys. Games may be played with two or more of the toys attacking each other. The attack facility on the known toys Is of a limited mechanical design and it tends to be quite some way removed from a realistic attacking action which would be employed by one animal against another.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a toy which is mobile, remotely controlled and has an attack facility, which toy comprises a body, propulsion means for causing the toy to be mobile, and attack means which provides the attack facility, characterised in that the attack means comprises an attack section which operates to provide an attack action, and a movement section which supports the attack section and moves the attack section relative to the body for attack purposes, and the movement section being such that it comprises a parallelogram arrangement of pivoting arms which enables the attack section to lunge and attack during use of the toy.

The toy of the present invention is able to fight other toys in a realistic manner due to its lunging and attacking action. The lunging action can be employed in the manner of attacking animals. Even if an attacking action is not successfully made during a lunge, the action of lunging and withdrawal is a realistic animal fighting action.

The toy is preferably one in which the attack section is a jaw section, and in which the attack action is a biting action.

The toy may be one in which the jaw section comprises a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw. Alternatively, if desired, both jaws may be moveable.

The toy may be one in which the parallelogram arrangement of pivoting arms is moved by a reciprocating member, for example a reciprocating arm.

The toy may be made in any suitable and appropriate shapes and sizes. Advantageously, the attack section is formed to look like a head, and the movement section is formed to look like a neck. In this case, the neck is preferably a long neck, for example to emulate the neck of a dinosaur or other prehistoric long-necked creature.

Any suitable and appropriate propulsion means may be used for causing the toy to be mobile. Thus the propulsion means may be an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic propulsion means. The body may be shaped to suit the overall shape of the toy, and also to provide appropriate support points for the propulsion means and the attack means.

The toy may be remotely controlled by a wireless remote control means, or by a wired remote control means. Where a wireless remote control means is employed, then the wireless remote control means is preferably radio-controlled. Irrespective of whether the control means is wireless or wired, the control may be effected from a control console. The control console may have a jockey stick for causing the toy to move in desired directions. Preferably, the propulsion means will enable the toy to move fotwards, backwards and to both sides.

The propulsion means may cause the movement of legs, wheels or other devices mounted on the body portion and enabling the toy to move as required.

The attack means may be an electric arrangement, a hydraulic arrangement, or a pneumatic arrangement. A separate drive means for the attack means of the toy could however be employed.

A toy in accordance with the present invention may be used in games to fight other toys of the present invention, or toys which are not of the present invention. Toys may be disabled by being turned over.

The centre of gravity of the toy can be arranged to correspond with a point roughly above the rear legs/wheels. Thus, when walking/moving forward, or when the head/neck thrusts forward, that is, when attacking, the toy can "rear up" i.e., the front end will rise up or pivot or rock about the rear wheels/legs. This gives a very lifelike impression, in this case, the rear legs and wheels will need to be close together and the position of the tail can be used to limit the extent of the rocking action.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows two toys of the present invention attacking each other Figure 2 shows remote control means for remotely controlling the toys shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows in detail an alternative toy of the present invention, the toy being such that its jaw section is open; Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 but with the jaw section of the toy being closed; Figure 5 shows an alternative configuration of the toy of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a configuration in which an actuator assembly is positioned underneath a body of the toy: and Figure 7 shows how a crank may have a vertical axis.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a toy 2 which is mobile, remotely controlled and has an attack facility. The toy 2 comprises a body 4, propulsion means 6 for causing the toy 2 to be mobile, and attack means 8 which provides the attack facility.

The attack means 8 comprises an attack action in the form of a jaw section 10. The jaw section 10 operates to provide a biting action for biting a part of an opponent toy 14. The attack means 8 also comprises a movement section 16 which supports the jaw section 10 and moves the jaw section 10 relative to the body 4 for attack purposes. The movement section 16 comprises a parallelogram arrangement of pivoting arms 18, 20, 22 as shown. The parallelogram arrangement of the pivoting arms 18, 20, 22 enables the jaw section 10 to lunge and bite during use of the toy 2.

The opponent toy 14 is of the same construction as the toy 2.

Therefore the opponent toy 14 has been given part numbers which are the same as the part numbers for the toy 2.

The jaw section 10 comprises two moveable jaws, 24, 26 as shown.

Figure 2 shows remote control means 28 comprising a joy stick 30 held in a players hand 32. The joy stick 30 has a first control section 34 and a second control section 36. The first control section 34 has two control members 38, 40 for providing skid-steer control. The second control section 36 has a control member 42 which controls the jaw section and its biting action. The remote control means 28 has a cable 44 leading to a power source, and a cable 46 leading to the toy 2. A similar remote control means 28 (not shown) are connected via the cable 46 to the opponent toy 14. The remote control means 28 may alternatively be powered by one or more batteries in the joy stick 30.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a toy 48. Similar parts as in the toy 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that the propulsion means 6 includes feet 50 as compared to wheels 52 in the toy 2.

Figures 3 and 4 also show more of the attack means 8, and also a motor and reduction gear box arrangement 54. The attack means 8 comprises the parallelogram arrangement of the pivoting arms 18, 20, 22.

The arm 18 pivots about the body 4 by a pivot 56. The arm 20 pivots about the body 4 by a pivot 58. A pivot 60 pivotally connects the arm 18 to the arm 22. A pivot 62 pivotafly connects the arm 20 to the arm 22. The arm 22 has a portion 64 which is connected to a fixed jaw 26. An arm 66 is pivotally connected by a pivot 68 to an arm 70. The arm 70 extends through a slot (not shown) in the fixed jaw 26. The arm 70 connects as shown to the jaw 24, which is a moving jaw. The moving jaw moves about a hinge arrangement 72.

Figures 3 and 4 also show how the attack means 8 is such that the parallelogram arrangement of the arms 18, 20, 22 is moved by a worm drive comprising a motor 74, a worm device 76 and a gear wheel 78. The gear wheel 78 has teeth 80 which mesh with the worm on the worm device 76 as shown. Rotational movement of the gear wheel 78 causes an arm 82 to move backwards and forwards. The arm 82 is connected by a pivot 84 to the arm 20, and thus movement of the arm 82 causes movement of the parallelogram arrangement. Movement of the parallelogram arrangement occurs between the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4 to cause the jaws 24, 26 to move from the open position shown in Figure 3 to the closed position shown in Figure 4.

Figures 3 and 4 show how the toy 48 can be provided with various designs. such for example as a crest 86. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the arm 66 is pivotally connected by a pivot 88 to the arm 18. The arm 82 is pivotally connected by a pivot 90 to the gear wheel 78.

The embodiments of the invention descnbed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings are given by way of example only and modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the illustrated attack means 8 shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4 could alternatively be moved (or actuated) by a pneumatic actuator, or a linear electrical motor, or a stepper motor or a servo-motor, or any other kind of actuator. An advantage of the attack means 8 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is that the arm 88 acts as a connecting rod which, when it reaches the limits of its extension simply begins the reverse process. Instead of a worm and wheel to generate the reciprocating action, a simple rotating crank could be used. There is thus no need to have means for reversing an actuator, which could involve limit switches and circuitry, which could be provided if required. In operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4, the jaw section 10 forms a head, and the attack means 8 forms a neck. As the attack means 8 reaches its maximum extension, the jaw section 10 closes due to the illustrated link arrangement, or alternatively a cable arrangement could be employed.

Instead of the propulsion means 6 including feet 50 or wheels 52, tracks or other devices may be employed. The feet 50 may simply rotate.

Alternatively, the feet 50 may give a walking action with a gait. The wheels 52 would give a rolling action. The tracks would give a tracked rolling action. Instead of wheels, cams could be used.

Instead of employing the cable 46 to the toy as shown in Figure 2, the control could be by a wireless connection, which would preferably be a radio-control means.

In Figure 2, the switches are preferably 3-position switches gMng on-off and reverse, but other types of switches may be employed.

The reduction gear box may be a womi and wheel reduction gear box or any other suitable and appropriate type of gear box.

The toy of the present invention may have a body which gives the toy any suitable and appropriate shape. Thus, for example, the toy may have a tail designed to resemble a dinosaur tail. If the cable 46 is employed, then the cable 46 may run through or along the dinosaur tail in order to avoid the cable 46 snagging on one or more toys during use of the toys.

Fight sequences with the toys may be between two or more toys.

Further modifications that may be effected to the present invention are given hereinbelow in headed sections for ease of understanding.

Alternative control console design or other input devices The above illustrated design in Figure 2 has two sliding switches for control of the vehicle and a rocker switch for control of the biting action. It would be possible to have three rocker switches instead of two sliding switches or any other combination.

Alternatively a knob could be included which would cause the switches to be moved appropriately. By rotating the knob clockwise the user would cause the toy to rotate clockwise and by rotating the knob anti-clockwise the toy would rotate anti-clockwise. By pushing the knob forwards the toy would move forwards and by pushing the knob backwards the toy would move backwards. The knob would have a linkage to cause the skid-steer sliding switches to slide. This would enable the user to control the toy using just one knob rather than having to manipulate two knobs. Other systems could be used for directional control such as a joystick or buttons.

Alternative input device: The user could control the function though a variety of input devices: dials, buttons, switches or a computer link could be provided.

The input device could be ergonomically designed to facilitate usage by disabled users or voice-activated control might be viable.

Alternative bitini action control: A switch could be activated as the head section reached maximum extension, to cause a separate actuator to close the jaws and this could be reversed when the head/neck section was retracted.

Direct laws control: The jaws could have an actuator linked to a switch on the consol so that the jaws would not close automatically but would remain in the control of the user.

By mounting the jaws/head part on one or more hinges or a universal joint and providing actuators and control means, the jaws/head could be made to roll, yaw or pitch. This would for instance make it possible to shake the head from side to side or to rotate it which would make it easier to remove parts from an opponent by twisting. Again this would add a more lifelike feel to the toy.

The jaws could have a variety of kinds of teeth or, for safety, could have soft grippers.

The worm and wheel device could have a covering to protect against trapping of fingers.

The whole toy could be covered with a rigid or flexible covering which could have the look and texture of animal skin or dinosaur skin.

Crests and horns etc. The upper neck section (horizontal) could have a rigid crest 86 which would enable it to enact an additional lifting function. Being wedge-shaped, as it moved forward it would cause something it was in contact with to be lifted.

The head could have horns or a rigid crest.

Variations that relate to having a separate biting section and vehicle section or to a modular design The vehicle section and the biting section may simply be fixed together rigidly (as in the example given). Alternatively they could be connected in such a way as to have one or more degrees of freedom.

Typically this would be yaw, pitch or roll. This could be achieved for one degree of freedom using a simple pivot or hinge and an actuator. For two or more degrees of freedom then a more complex joint would be necessary such as a universal joint. There would be one actuator necessary for each degree of freedom and one switch for each actuator, located on the control device. In this way the biting section could be positioned relative to the vehicle section. This would add manoeuverabihty and make the system appear more lifelike.

The vehicle could be wheel, tracked or legged and could be steered conventionally (pivoting of wheels) or skid steered. The vehicle could also be a floating device like a boat or raft, powered by suitable means such as a propeller or using flippers. It could also be a submarine device. The components in such case (waterbome devices) would need to be waterproofed. The vehicle could be a hovercraft or a flying device such as a helicopter or it could be suspended from a balloon filled with a lighter than air gas such as helium. The base of the vehicle could be made of a flexible material such as rubber or could be flexibly build of interconnected links. It could have a large number of legs.

An alternative way to drive the head/neck forward would be to have a hinge connection between the biting section and the vehicle section such that the biting section could be rotated upwards at an angle relative to the vehicle section. When made to swing down rapidly, the action would give the head neck momentum and it would be made to lunge forward. This is in fact using pitching of the biting section relative to the vehicle section to provide the biting section with energy.

A number of variations on this theme are possible.

In a commercial product the device could be a modular system with interchangeable components. In this way a user might purchase one kind of vehicle section initially (e.g., a wheeled vehicle) and then at a later stage purchase a different kind of vehicle (e.g., a tracked vehicle or a boat).

Another variation to this theme would be that the vehicle could have modular components, that is, wheels could be interchanged with tracks or legs.

Figure 5 shows an alternative configuration of the present invention and illustrates how it could be a modular design. The components could be arranged differently, for example more or less legs, longer legs, or different sized legs. Also the orientation of the biting section with respect the vehicle section could be varied.

The vehicle section could be robotically controlled, i.e. controlled by pre-programmed algorithms or by other means such as neural networks.

Variations to the neck parts of the biting section lf the parallel vertical neck sections were of different lengths then the upper section (horizontal) would describe an arc as it moved forward and would not remain horizontal. Also if the vertical sections were not parallel a similar effect would occur.

There could be a number of hinges each with actuator and control switch etc on the console.

Alternative configuration: The neck/head sections can hang down from the base of the biting section. As can best be appreciated from Figure 5, the necklhead could swing in the space between the base of the biting section and the base of the vehicle section. Also, there could just be a single base to which the biting parts and legs etc. are attached.

The force to drive the biting section could be a pulling force supplied by for instance a cable on a winch or by an "air muscle" for example that known as a "McKibben muscle".

Alternative Power The device could be powered by on-board batteries or through a mains transformer or through a variety of other means.

The device might have dual power such that a different voltage would be supplied to the vehicle section and to the biting section.

The power to the biting section could be other than simple start-stop or continuous. Thus, for example, proportional position control would be possible. In this case there would be a need to use feedback information.

Such a system would use a servo-motor or similar.

It would be possible to have combinations of power. For instance, the legs or wheels could be electrically powered whilst the biting section could be powered by a pneumatic actuator. The battery or batteries may be inside the control console.

Noises and other features: There could be an arrangement whereby a robotic toy would make a noise when biting or moving. This could be similar to a growl or a screech that might mimic a real animal's cry when in pain or angered.

The toy could have a small video camera which would send images to a monitor. The users could control their toys using the video images as guidance rather than watching the robots directly.

The toy could have a number of legs or wheels other than 4 e.g., 2 or 6 or any multiple or a combination.

The legs could have feet with claws.

Clockwork Versions and Other Simpliflcations The power could be supplied via a clockwork device. The user would wind up a clockwork motor and then control the release of this energy using a brake or clutch-type system. Separate clockwork motors could be used to power the biting section and the vehicle section.

The power to drive the biting section could be a simple spring and clasp. The user retracts the head/neck and thus compresses (or stretches) a spring. This energy would be released when the user releases the clasp (or other holding mechanism).

Stress Relief Mechanism Any of the rotating parts (legs, worm gear etc.) could be provided with a safety device so that when obstructed, no damage could occur to the mechanism or injury to the user. The safety device could be a frictional device such as a clutch-type of mechanism or other kind of mechanism.

Thus if, for instance, a leg was obstructed, then at the point where the motor exerted torque at a threshold level, the device would begin to slip and in so doing would prevent damage occurring.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a toy 94 having a neck part 96 and a parallelogram arrangement forming a vertical neck part 98. The vertical neck part 98 pivots about a bracket 100 by means of pivots 102, 104. A connecting rod 106 is pivotaHy connected at one end 108 to the vertical neck part 98 by a pivot 110. The connecting rod 106 is pivotally connected at its other end 112 by a pivot 114 to a crank wheel 116. The crank wheel 116 is connected by a gear wheel shaft 118 to a motor and gear box assembly 120.

In Figure 6, the motor and gear box assembly 120, the gear wheel shaft 118, the crank wheel 116 and the connecting rod 106 are located beneath a body 122. The front pair of elongate members 124 are longer than the other pair of elongate members 126 and they extend through slots (not shown) in the body 122. Only one of the pair of elongate members 124 is shown in Figure 6, and only one of the pair of elongate members 126 is shown in Figure 6. When the crank wheel rotates, the connecting rod 106 moves and causes the neck part 96 to move backwards and forwards.

Various other components present in the toy 94 have not been shown for clarity of illustration.

An advantage of the toy 94 shown in Figure 6 is that the actuator assembly is beneath the body 122 and is therefore safer in terms of less risk of injury. A further advantage is that it lowers the centre of gravity of the toy 2, making the entire toy 2 more stable.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a toy 128 which is like the toy 94. In Figure 7, similar parts as in Figure 6 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 6, the gear wheel shaft 118 from the motor and gear box assembly 120 is horizontal with respect to the illustrated flat body 122. In Figure 7, the gear wheel shaft 130 is vertical with respect to the illustrated flat body 122.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A toy which is mobile, remotely controlled and has an attack facility, which toy comprises a body, propulsion means for causing the toy to be mobile, and attack means which provides the attack facility, characterised in that the attack means comprises an attack section which operates to provide an attack action, and a movement section which supports the attack section and moves the attack section relative to the body for attack purposes, and the movement section being such that it comprises a parallelogram arrangement of pivoting arms which enables the attack section to lunge and attack during use of the toy.

2. A toy according to claim 1 in which the attack section is a jaw section, and in which the attack action is a biting action.

3. A toy according to daim 2 in which the jaw section comprises a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw.

4. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the parallelogram arrangement of pivoting arms is moved by a reciprocating member.

5. A toy according to claim 4 in which the reciprocating member is a reciprocating arm.

6. A toy according to any one of the preceding claims in which the attack section is formed to look like a head, and in which the movement section is formed to look like a neck.

7. A toy substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.